Peace as Fruit of the Spirit
It has stuck in my mind a number of times that peace is also fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 we read ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ Peace is fruit of the Spirit.
Fruit of the Word
If we take this analogy out a bit, fruit begs us to consider a tree. What kind of tree? What seeded and rooted this tree? We understand, with little effort, that this tree began with a seed which is the Word and we are the soil that nourishes it. The Parable of the Sower in Luke 8 leads us there and concludes with a rare explanation of the parable. In verse 15, Jesus says, ‘But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.’ The Word takes root within us and receives its nourishment from our hearts.
The production of fruit, as any farmer or gardener may tell you, requires time. We plant and then wait. We wait and we water and fertilize. The tree takes time to grow before producing fruit and the fruit takes time to mature. But as I think over these things, the fruit, I am inclined to believe that all of it comes. These are not like the gifts of the Spirit, to which one is given, and another given a different gift (1 Cor 12). All of the fruit is of the Spirit, the fruit is not distributed out, as the gifts are. The fruit is a part of the Spirit which dwells in us.
Retain the Word
Peace is fruit of the Spirit, which dwells in us. It is already there; we need only cultivate it and give it what is needed to root and mature as needed. Going back to Luke 8:15, we need to retain the word to produce a crop. Retain the Word. Retaining the Word means I take possession and make it mine. I utilize it and put it to my service. This is not just safe-keeping or skimming a book. This is finding a place within me to hold each verse, each concept, each exhortation and encouragement.
What to cultivate
An honest look at the depth and quality of the roots will show how much water and nourishment we have provided ourselves; the growth may be obvious too. An honest look will not be too harsh, nor too encouraging for most of us. I guarantee that the fruit of self-control is a bit misshapen on my tree. Love, joy, and peace are perhaps more in abundance and better-formed. So, in looking at myself a moment, I know there are areas that need special ‘fertilizer’, special attention. This is the Word that needs my focus, that needs your focus.
